Jakarta, INTI - Stella Christie urged young people to strengthen their critical thinking abilities as a key foundation for navigating artificial intelligence disruption and increasingly intense global competition.
Human Role Remains Essential in the AI Era
She emphasized that amid rapid technological advancement, human capabilities to evaluate, analyze, and make responsible decisions cannot be replaced by machines.
“What makes humans irreplaceable is not merely the ability to use AI, but the ability to assess whether AI-generated outputs are accurate, relevant, and responsibly applicable. Therefore, humans will never be replaced by AI,” she stated.
She also highlighted Indonesia’s massive digital potential, noting that the country has around 210 million internet users with an internet penetration rate reaching 83 percent, positioning Indonesia as an important player in shaping the global direction of AI utilization.
According to her, the human-in-the-loop approach remains crucial as it ensures humans stay actively involved in AI-driven processes and decision-making.
Strengthening Education and Global Competitiveness
Stella Christie explained that developing digital talent should not focus solely on technical expertise, but also on deeper analytical and critical thinking skills shaped through various disciplines, including philosophy and social sciences.
She noted that a strong analytical foundation is essential for students to adapt to technological transformation while remaining competitive on the international stage.
The government has introduced the SMA Unggul Garuda program, which focuses on school transformation and enhancing students’ global competitiveness.
The program reportedly increased the number of Indonesian students receiving Letters of Acceptance from overseas universities from 587 in 2025 to 1,567, marking a 167 percent increase.
She believes that improving educational quality can strengthen national competitiveness globally and encouraged young generations to confidently embrace healthy competition.
“You are the future leaders of this nation. Our country can only progress if we are all willing to compete and strive to maximize our potential. There is nothing unusual about that,” she said.
Conclusion
Stella Christie emphasized that critical thinking, analytical skills, and human-centered decision-making will remain essential in the AI era. By strengthening education and encouraging healthy global competition, Indonesia’s younger generation is expected to become more adaptive, innovative, and globally competitive amid rapid technological transformation.
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